Enas
Enas Shwaikh
is a Palestinian student from Gaza who was granted the STEPS scholarship for the 2025/2026 academic year, arriving at the University of St Andrews after surviving the war, losing her home, and relocating to Egypt. Having trained in dentistry, she found herself drawn instead to psychology, and spent the year researching children's mental health in Gaza — work that let her give voice to the youngest survivors of the war. She graduated with distinction, finishing her project with a mark of 19/20.In her own words:
I was granted the STEPS scholarship for 2025-26. It felt like a dream coming true. After surviving the war in Gaza, losing my home, and relocating to Egypt, I had stopped believing I would ever build a home or feel belonging again. This year held so many firsts: my first time on a plane, my first time living away from family, my first time figuring out who I actually am beyond just a "war survivor." I felt like a child experiencing life for the first time, including my first swim in three years! No matter where I went in St Andrews, the sea was close by, offering a breath of relief and reminding me of home in Gaza, where the laughter of my family always echoed with the waves. It witnessed walks with friends, bonfires, afternoon swims, tears of missing home, and wishes that my family could be there to enjoy it with me.This year taught me to slow down, and living in a "wee" town like St Andrews helped, to take a minute, look around, spend hours amazed by the history, the architecture, the colours of the stained glass, the stories of people, and the silence. The library was another place I never thought I'd spend hours in, working while surrounded by the quiet determination of everyone chasing their dream, studying hard until the last day, and walking home with friends after. But slowing down didn't mean standing still, it made room for adventure too. The hikes, my first time on a bike, morning runs, solo adventures, and shared laughter with friends reminded me who I am, and the child inside me was happy again.
The most valuable thing I learned this year was to prioritise my mental health, listen to my body and soul, take breaks when I need them, and remember that it's never too late to start over. What makes me feel good is often simple: sunshine on my face, a walk, sea breeze, a conversation with a friend, a warm meal, and to remember that people are always willing to help, you just have to reach out!
During orientation week, the head of graduate school told us the year would feel long and short at once. Looking back now, I still remember my first moment here: a cold room, strangers saying welcome, a city that looked like something from a Harry Potter film. I felt small and humbled by everyone around me. I will always be grateful that, despite everything I had lost, I was given the chance to arrive somewhere warm, somewhere I was recognised, welcomed, and made part of a community, differences and all. People taught me to look for light even when things were difficult, and to be grateful even when my plans were cancelled by unexpected rain! Packing my things at the end of the year, the sticky notes, souvenirs, movie tickets, photos, paper maps, motivational notes written during moments of weakness, reminded me that this year held more than I ever imagined, and made saying goodbye really hard.
I never imagined I would end up in psychology after dentistry, but it was exactly what I needed. The highlight of this year was my research on something I care about deeply: children's mental health, trying to give back to my people in Gaza, especially the children, their voice — something that had been taken from them. Throughout the project, children's stories were listened to and captured through photography, and it became an adventure I will always be proud of. My school and supervisory team made it possible despite every complication. I finished with 19/20 and will graduate with distinction — a dream made possible by everyone's support and belief in me!
Thank you, STEPS, and everyone who gave to make this possible, to all the trustees and the STEPS community who listened, treated us like family, and introduced me to a world I had been dreaming about since I was a child. You are the reason I am here, and the reason I keep dreaming.